Valve-actuating rocker-arm for internal-combustion engines.



W. G. NOACK.

VALVE ACTUATING ROCKER ARM FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3. I917.

1 ,278, 1 95 Patented Sept. 10, 1918.

I I I WITNESS INVENTOR.

" A TTGRNE Y5 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER G. NOACK, OF STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO TRACTOR MOTORS COMPANY, OF BENICIA, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 10,1918.

Application filed April 3, 1917. Serial No. 159,566.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER G. N OAGK, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Stockton, county of San Joaquin. and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Valve-Actuating Rocker- Arm for Internal-Combustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to rocker arms for actuating overhead valves in internal com bustion engines.

An object of the invention is to provide a rocker arm which is adjustable to produce different valve openings or to compensate for wear of the various valve actuating parts.

The invention possesses other advantageous features, which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following descrlption where I shall outline in full that form of the invention which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanyin and forming part of the present specification.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a section of a portion of an internal combustion engine showing the rocker arm of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the rocker arm partly in section.

Fig. 3 is a plan or top view of the rocker arm.

Rocker arms are employed in internal combustion engines of the valve-in-the-head or overhead valve type to transmit movement from the push-rods to the valve stems. In the present construction, the rocker arm 2 transmits the motion from the push-rod 3, which is actuated by the cam 4, to the valve stem 5; The rocker arm is fulcrumed intermediate its ends on a suitable pivot 6, and is provided at one end with a curved chilled face 7 which bears against the upper end of the valve stem.

At its other end the rocker arm is provided with a boss 8 having a seat therein for the end of the push-rod, the bottom of the seat or the push rod bearing surface comprising a hardened screw 9 arranged vertically in the boss. The screw is provided with a cupped lower face with which the curved upper end of the push-rod contacts. When it is desirable to take up Wear of the rocker arm and its associated mechanism or to vary the opening of the valve. the screw 9 is rotated to vary the position of its bearing surface. The rocker arm is constructed so that the adjusting screw may be firmly clamped in its adjusted position. The end of the rocker arm and the upper portion of the boss 8 are split by a saw-cut 12 and a bolt 13 extending through the split portion forms a means of clamping the screw against rotation.

Means are also provided for lubricating the various working surfaces of the rocker arm, so that wear may be reduced to a minimum. Formed on the arm above the fulcrum bearing, is a cup 14 which communicates with the fulcrum bearing through the passage 15. The cup 14 is filled with felt packing which is soaked with lubricating oil. Formed on the upper surface of the rocker arm and communicating with the oil cup, are grooves 1617 extending toward the ends of the rocker arm. The groove 16 communicates with the saw-cut 12 through which the oil is conducted to the bearing between the push rod and the adjusting screw. The groove 17 conducts the oil to the surface of the arm above the curved face 7, whence it flows to said face. The grooves slope downwardly from the oil cup toward the ends of the arm, so that the oil is conducted to the bearing surfaces.

Iclaim:

1. In an internal combustion engine, a rocker arm having an open bottom pocket at one end and provided with a slot communicating with said pocket and opening on the upper face of the rocker arm and means for introducing a lubricant into said slot.

2. In an internal combustion engine. a rocker arm having bearing surfaces at opposite ends, a groove on the upper face of the arm adapted to conduct lubricant to said surfaces and means for supplying lubricant to said groove.

3. In an internal combustion engine, a

rocker arm having bearing surfaces at opposite ends, a cup on said arm adapted to contain lubricant and grooves extending from said cup for conducting lubricant to said surfaces.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Stockton, California, this 20th day of March, 1917.

WALTER G. NOACK. 

